REPORT: Bray Wanderers 2-1 Wexford

15th November 2023
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Derek Daly turned on the style in the second half to earn Bray Wanderers a third league win on the trot and lift them into the play-off spots. After a scoreless first half - thanks to the performance of Corey Chambers mainly - Daly netted either si

Derek Daly turned on the style in the second half to earn Bray Wanderers a third league win on the trot and lift them into the play-off spots.

After a scoreless first half - thanks to the performance of Corey Chambers mainly - Daly netted either side of the hour mark to set the Seagulls on their way. Danny Furlong pulled a goal back in stunning fashion but Bray hung on for a precious three points.

Bray started with the bit between their teeth and almost broke through early on. Richie Purdy carved the Wexford defence open with a sublime pass down the left flank to Derek Daly. His low cross seemed to catch Jake Ellis surprise and the attacker fluffed the chance.

Had he been more alert, he probably would have bagged the opener. On the quarter hour mark, Chambers pulled off an excellent save to keep Bray at bay. Barnett’s corner was met by Philip Gannon and it looked destined to hit the roof of the net but Chambers managed to flick a hand out whilst diving backwards and divert it over the crossbar.

Cronin decided to stick and not twist at the break; leaving McGlade and Joe Doyle in reserve and Derek Daly repaid that faith with two goals in five minutes either side of the hour mark. His first goal was a result of some quick-thinking, he latched onto Keegan’s pass and having spotted Chambers charging out, he lifted it over the shot-stopper.

Five minutes later, he arrived in the nick of time to hammer home Dean O’Halloran’s cross from the right. Bray could have put the tie to bed when Daly turned provider for McGlade who left two men for dead with a filthy turn inside the box but Chambers stood tall to make the block.

McGlade also missed a one-one-one before Wexford pulled one back in stunning fashion when Danny Doyle sent in a cross from the right. There appeared to be absolutely no danger as it moved towards Furlong but he took everyone by surprise – and left a few jaws on the ground – as he flicked it to the net with a sublime backheel.